We are sad to report that Nick Jones passed away at the age of 80 on October 4, 2015. What set Nick apart from so many others was that his accomplishments and message of love and caring far exceeded the boundaries of his beloved Florida community, impacting people living with COPD across the United States. Nick leaves a rich legacy of integrity, respect, leadership and humility that shall remain an inspiration to us all.

When diagnosed with COPD, rather than be a victim, Nick chose to spend his remaining years reaching out to others with COPD in his community. Nick became a charter member and president of the Village Airheads COPD Support Group. This innovative group became the model for other similar communities including an Airheads chapter in Ocala. Nick also worked closely with other lung health organizations including the American Lung Association and EFFORTS.

After a meeting with John Walsh and other staff members of the COPD Foundation, Nick and the Airheads teamed up with the COPD Foundation to start a campaign that could lead to an even greater impact on the lives of those living with COPD, the undiagnosed, their families and even the healthcare system.

Nick's wish was that his dreams for the COPD Community would go on long after his passing, and that his simple message of hope and caring for others would continue to inspire future generations. To honor Nick’s life and legacy and continue his outreach for many years to come, The COPD Foundation is in the process of establishing the Nick Jones Legacy Fund to provide support for those struggling with COPD and to honor his wish that other COPD communities could be built on the model he so successfully designed.

We invite you to post your comments and remembrances of Nick on COPD360social. A more complete look at Nick’s impact on the COPD community will be posted later this week with a memorial page on the COPD Foundation website. Our thoughts remain with his family and and friends.

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It is not our intention to serve as a substitute for medical advice and any content posted should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. While we encourage individuals to share their personal experiences with COPD, please consult a physician before making changes to your own COPD management plan.